The 5 food trends in 2026 that could be sabotaging your gut - according to a nutritionist
Just because something is marketed as healthy doesn’t mean it will be good for your gut 🍽
- Eating healthy is something that many of us try to do.
- However, many trending foods that are marketed as functional, plant-based or gut-friendly could actually be bad for our gut.
- Adrienne Benjamin, gut health nutritionist at ProVen Biotics, examines six food trends in 2026 that might be sabotaging your gut.
As we enter 2026, many of us will consider making healthy choices for our diet. However, a leading gut health nutritionist is warning that some of the most hyped “better for you” food products could actually be doing more harm than good.
Adrienne Benjamin, gut health nutritionist at ProVen Biotics, explains that while many trending foods are marketed as functional, plant-based or gut-friendly, several may be quietly contributing to bloating, discomfort and microbiome imbalance, particularly for those with sensitive digestion.
Adrienne said: “Just because something is trending or labelled ‘functional’ doesn’t mean your gut agrees. Many of these foods are highly processed or packed with ingredients that can potentially disrupt the balance of bacteria in the gut and lead to digestive symptoms.”
According to Adrienne, these are the five food trends that could be sabotaging your gut:
Mushroom coffee
Often promoted as a gentler alternative to caffeine, mushroom coffee blends often contain functional mushrooms like chaga and lion’s mane, which can be beneficial in some ways, but are also high in fermentable fibres.
Adrienne said: “As a result, for some people, mushroom coffee can trigger bloating, gas and stomach cramps, especially if they already struggle with IBS or gut sensitivity.”
Mindful sweets
Lower-sugar chocolates, sweets and baked goods marketed as “mindful” often rely on sugar alcohols and alternative sweeteners.
Adrienne explains: “Ingredients like erythritol, sorbitol and chicory root fibre may reduce sugar content, but they’re notorious for impacting digestion. Ironically, these ‘healthier’ sweets can lead to more gut discomfort than traditional versions.”
Fungi snacks
Mushrooms are growing in popularity right now. From mushroom crisps to fungi-infused protein bites, but how much you eat matters.
Adrienne said: “Mushrooms can be nutritious, but concentrated forms in snack foods are harder to digest and can overwhelm the gut when eaten frequently and in large amounts.”
Plant-based protein bars
While convenient, many plant-based ‘healthy’ snack bars are dense with isolated proteins, gums and emulsifiers. Adrienne said: “These ultra-processed bars often lack the diversity of fibres needed to support gut bacteria balance. Instead, they can contribute to slower digestion and may lead to bloating in some people.”
Faux Cheeses
Vegan cheeses remain a staple for plant-based eaters, but their ingredient lists can be surprising, with many containing refined oils, starches and stabilisers that can irritate the gut lining.
Adrienne explained you don’t need to avoid these trends entirely, adding: “Focus on minimally processed foods, read ingredient lists carefully, and introduce new ‘functional’ products slowly.”
You can find out more about healthy living at Live Well.